The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-11-03


and then pll walk out OF your confounded
shanty."
He really meant what he said, but John
Granger had contrary ideas on tho subject
of his walking out He knew the man.
realized what desperate villain ne was,
and proposed to keep an eye on him.
The next day after wildcat Jim came
in, arrived at the Jail TO pay my relatives
q visit. My parents were living in town
about dozen miles away, and | had per-
mission to remain as long rs might SUIT
me, l was then about nine years old, ana
did not know, and could not be made fully
to understand, the character OF the prls-
oners in the cells While ! was allowed
fu' liberty TO roam about the ouildlng
alone, ever 10 going down to the nam haii,
was cautioned by both grandmother ana
Granger not to hold any conversation win
the prisoners, much less to pass any article
TO them through the grated door,
II was Grangcr's habit TO allow the pris-
oners the freedom Of their corridor during
the day, the men walking up and down.
reading novels, playing cards, and passing
the time as they liked best. There was but
one small window in the corridor, the walls
were very massive, the door firm, and
there was no danger. Wildcat Jim was
not allowed TO leave his cell at first, Gran
ger knowing that he would e'tempt to take
some advantage Of the favor But after a
week had passed away wi bout sign that
the villain had hope Of leaving the place
his appeals were listened TO by my grand
father, who persuaded Granger into throw
ing open the cell door.
''He may not be so bad as people make
OUT remarked Josiah, who always pltied
where others condemned, "Aud if be is as
desperate devil rs you say he Is, do not
see how he can do any mischief"
Therefore, Jlm's cell door was unlocked,
and he was allowed 10 mingle with the rest.
AS grandfather said nothing in opposition,
Granger insisted that the villain should
continue to wear his shackles, which were,
), of course, something of n safeguard against
) his escaping, He seemed TO have no care
whether the shacklcs were on or of, hay
ny assumed the roe of penitent, declaring
, his intention to reform.
''Look out for that man, John GrangerP
cautioned my grandmother, as she looked
> through the door and caught a glance from
the desperate.
The man had been in jail about ten days
and his conduct so far had been all tina
! could re desired. Granger believed that ht
X was plotting mischief, grandfather though
him mpch.ahused man, and grandmother
gave no opinion. One Monday morning /
became necessary for Granger to make
days journey into another county, and thi
would leave no one but my two relatives a
7 quad. Ny grandfather was cautioned
to look out, rs the prisoners might attemp
an Instruction aud an escapade; and, TO
a wonder, he gave the warning attention
/ He had two revolvers and two rifles in tn
q Jail, and he loaded them ALL One of tn
q reyolvers he put into his pocket, and tn
S other arms were left in the sitting-room.
d During the forenoon it was discovers
[. that the corridor door was out Of order, an'
|. grandfather set 10 work to fix II. Takin
q small saw, two files and hammer, h
went at the difficulty, aud soon had the doc
" in repair Wheu through, he placed tn
.. tools on a stool in the hall, and went abou
It his work, leaving them there.
Near the middle of the afternoon, hayin
a seen that every thing was all quiet with IN
prisoners, Josiah lay down for a nap, tel
. ing his wife to take an occasional look int
% the hall. Left to myself, ! wandered int
= the hall, and, boylike, began using tn
\, tools. The attention of the prisoners wa
soon attracted, and voice called me to tn
door.
~ "Buh, do you want a whole pound {
p" to look sweet.
OF course did; whoever saw boy tha
CT didn'tl / had entirely forgotten the of
q, repeated warning not to talk with the pri'
iu oners, and leaned against the door,
ie hopes to see the candy
y, well, sonny,n continued Jim, "if yC
10 will be good boy, you shall have all u
candy you can carry. You see, you are L
:" small boy to have those tools, and if yoI
on grandfather knew of 1t, he would whip &c
Nv to death. Just hand them TO me throug
i'm the door, aud then he won't know that yC
~ have been dulling them. And besides, /
godown town tomorrow and get you q
ng the candy you can eut.n
in hesfated for time, but convinced TIL
Sc my grandfather would scold, il not viii
nd and oeing bribed by the candy bait, passt
ut in the tools. yet remember how the pri
rs oners crowded around Jim, shook hand
he laughed and danced, but did not then 81
any occasion for their demonstrations.
he Now, bub,n said Jim, returning to u
ad door, 1you have completely spoiled the
es tools, and your grandfather Will skin "
* and hang your hide on the fence If he hnI
gs it out. II he asks you where they went
ry tell him you don't know
ew never had had cause to fear either
10 my klnu nchTbeu reIdllVes, Dui jim WoT'
ne, really frightened me. He made furth
sw promises about the candy, and final
went away to the sitting-room determine
st to tell grandfather a lie If ne asked 1
r.r about the articles.
add But he did not ask. He went about
es. duties, after his nap, without once thinkil
+ n of the tools, and so l. of course did n
,as breach the subject. Granger did rot /
,us turn at night, as intended, but word cal
md from him that Vt would take another day
NV conclude his business.
MD 'As you will be alone all night" the nj
ans read, ''let me warn you again to look {
ted for Wild.C Cat jim. He will take this
ia portunity to make You trouble.n
ny. "Pooh pooh!'' replied my grandfath
lid as he read the note; "Granger is a We
mo active officer, but he is regular old won
eed with his whims. ! guess sha'n'J ha
the any trouble with jim"
PAL. And the guess was as correct as
,ral guesses usually were.
Dry The night wore away without any {
ms turbance to create alarm. Josiah had tai
and pains to see that the locks, doors and b
ind were all right and he slept as soundly a
,ith solder Each man had been locked liz
oor cell and the corridor door was mount
% in the path OF any attempted escape.
hall 'Josiah,'. said Prudence, as we W
, at seated at breakfast, ''did you hear any nj
and during the nightfn
The Not so much as the sigh Of mousse"
and piled josiah. 1T was remarkably I
All night"
,ere swell, Josiah,n continued my gra
this mother ~ heard noises, and plenty
IS a them. There was some deviltry going
lger among the prisoners | heard a graf
sound as if they were fling off the bars
oers want to godown with you and see VIVA
lion. was.n
wen My grandfather made no obiecti
! as knowing that words could not alter tho
,lsed cision, and so after breakfast we pa
, on through into the main hall. Just as 10
I,.,., ,vns n hout IN omen the corridor door tl